Should I register my Vista operating system???

[fretman]

I recently picked up my computer system and it has the OEM version of Vista Ultimate. When I log into my system I get a message telling me I have so many days remaining to register my OS.

I heard in the past that some people will register and some people will not. Can you tell me or lead me to a site that tells what the advantages and disadvantages are to registering or not registering?

I heard stories that if you register that Windows will be able to monitor your every move or stuff like that. Or if I don't register then my operating system will shut down and cease to operate. Not sure if this is all true.

In other words, what can I expect by registering an OEM version? I heard that tech support won't even answer any questions if I have an OEM version of their operating system.

So if you can tell me the pros and cons that would be great. Thanks.

 

[lxskllr]

Do you mean register (as in notify the oem computer maker you have their product), or activate(as in tell MS you're running a legal version of Windows)? If it's the former, then no. I never register any of my products from companies. If it's the latter, then yes you'll need to activate Windows to keep using it. Windows isn't going to spy on you or anything, it'll may check every so often to make sure your install is still legal, but otherwise it's no big deal.

 

[phillyman36]

I just installed Vista yesterday. I am going to wait to activate it. I want to test it for a week or 2 if i like it and have little to no problems to my liking then i will reinstall it (right now im dual booting xp) on the drive i have xp and just use vista. My reason is i hate having to call microsoft to reactivate it.

 

[fretman]

Yes, that's what I meant (activating). I guess I'll activate it then. Thanks.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: lxskllr
it'll may check every so often to make sure your install is still legal, but otherwise it's no big deal.

WTF. Make sure your install is still legal?

Surely if it was legal when it was activated it'll still be legal a week or two later.
It wouldn't suddenly become illegal would it?

This is BS from Microsoft if Vista does this.

"Thanks for activating and letting us know you paid for the license to use Vista, but hey, we still think you might be a dirty rotten pirate, so we'll keep checking every so often, just in case.
kthxbye!" :frown:

 

[Cutthroat]

Originally posted by: Canterwood

Originally posted by: lxskllr
it'll may check every so often to make sure your install is still legal, but otherwise it's no big deal.

WTF. Make sure your install is still legal?

Surely if it was legal when it was activated it'll still be legal a week or two later.
It wouldn't suddenly become illegal would it?

This is BS from Microsoft if Vista does this.

"Thanks for activating and letting us know you paid for the license to use Vista, but hey, we still think you might be a dirty rotten pirate, so we'll keep checking every so often, just in case.
kthxbye!" :frown:

AFAIK the only time it checks to see if it is legal is the WGA check in Windows Update. XP did too.

 

[fretman]

Here's another newbie question. On my system where I'm going to be activating my OEM version of Vista, should I decide to reformat my entire HDD, can I re-install the OEM version of Vista again? Or do I have to get another copy of Vista? What if I decide to get a whole new HDD? Would I still be able to use the original copy of Vista to do an install?

I heard that Microsoft would consider a whole new HDD to be a new machine and wouldn't let you install Vista again with the original copy. But I'm not sure about reformatting the existing drive and then re-installing the old copy.

Thanks again. Will wait for your responses before doing anything drastic.

Plus during the installation process, does Vista create files under your C:\Program Files\ directory only? I'm not sure because it was the shop who installed the OS for me and when I got the machine home there are files and folders directly under C:\ so I'm not sure if I should or can remove these files and folders.

Thanks.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: fretman
Here's another newbie question. On my system where I'm going to be activating my OEM version of Vista, should I decide to reformat my entire HDD, can I re-install the OEM version of Vista again? Or do I have to get another copy of Vista? What if I decide to get a whole new HDD? Would I still be able to use the original copy of Vista to do an install?

I heard that Microsoft would consider a whole new HDD to be a new machine and wouldn't let you install Vista again with the original copy. But I'm not sure about reformatting the existing drive and then re-installing the old copy.

Thanks again. Will wait for your responses before doing anything drastic.

Plus during the installation process, does Vista create files under your C:\Program Files\ directory only? I'm not sure because it was the shop who installed the OS for me and when I got the machine home there are files and folders directly under C:\ so I'm not sure if I should or can remove these files and folders.

Thanks.

Oem copies of Windows are technically tied to the motherboard. You get a new mb, get a new Windows. Now historically they've been very good about activating Windows over the phone, even after a mb change with drastic component upgrades. That's no guaranty for the future, but I don't see things changing too much. So unless you change your mb for something totally different you can reactivate Vista as many times as you like on the same machine, and be within the guidelines of the EULA. If you change the mb you may still be able to activate, but it'll violate the EULA, and they aren't obligated to help you out. Keep in mind you may fail online activation no matter what you do, but it's a painless phone call to MS, and it generally gets resolved in a few minutes.

Windows puts files in Program Files, and under the root directory(C:, or whatever), so you'll probably need everything you see there.

 

[fretman]

Thanks for the response. I guess reactivating the same Vista after reformatting the HDD should be no problem.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: fretman
Thanks for the response. I guess reactivating the same Vista after reformatting the HDD should be no problem.

That shouldn't cause any issues at all. Sometimes something goes wrong with the online activation and you'll have to call in when you normally wouldn't have to. Don't worry about that though. You're well within your rights for a reinstall, and a MS rep will get you on your way in a few minutes.

 

[Nothinman]

Surely if it was legal when it was activated it'll still be legal a week or two later.
It wouldn't suddenly become illegal would it?

That's not guaranteed, MS has had to blacklist a ton of XP volume keys that got leaked over the years so why would that change with Vista?

 

[pstylesss]

Just re-arm and reinstall every 4 months if you are paranoid? I have no idea if it's legal or not... I mean, in the EULA.

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: Nothinman

Surely if it was legal when it was activated it'll still be legal a week or two later.
It wouldn't suddenly become illegal would it?

That's not guaranteed, MS has had to blacklist a ton of XP volume keys that got leaked over the years so why would that change with Vista?

Because XP Volume License editions didn't require activation, so you'd be illegal from the get go.
People didn't even need an original VLK. They could run a simple key generator, get a key and install XP.
Microsoft were just trying to catch people using illegal keys through WGA when they got updates.


Vista volume licensing is different in that it requires activation.
You have to incorporate an activation server on your network, so the chance of someone stealing your key and being able to get their Vista activated and working are slim unless they can tap into your network every 30 days or so to get validated with your activation server.